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College football’s post-spring Top 25 power rankings for 2022 season

By Connor Muldowney

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter vs. the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.Syndication The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter vs. the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.Syndication The Columbus Dispatch /
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Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara takes the field for warmups before the Orange Bowl against Georgia on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara takes the field for warmups before the Orange Bowl against Georgia on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida. /

Mel Tucker has Michigan State fans believing yet again and it feels like the program is destined to reach new heights. Mark Dantonio had Michigan State as a perennial contender for years, but Tucker has brought in more talent and he’s recruiting at a higher level. Payton Thorne is back along with Jayden Reed and even though Kenneth Walker III is gone, two talented transfer running backs will replace him. Plus, the defense can’t get any worse.

The newest villain in college football, Lincoln Riley, is taking over one of the most prestigious programs in the sport. He will have more resources at USC and a direct line to the elite recruits on the West Coast and he should excel in Los Angeles. Caleb Williams joins him in Southern Cal and there’s a chance he could be bringing in the Biletnikoff Award winner in Jordan Addison from Pitt. The Trojans will be back in 2022.

Michigan is losing a lot on the defensive side of the ball in Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill, and David Ojabo but the offense returns darn near everyone. Cade McNamara will be in a heated quarterback battle with JJ McCarthy and the fanbase may be split on their favorite there. Jim Harbaugh has brought the excitement back to Ann Arbor.

One of the teams I’m most excited to see this season is Notre Dame because I truly believe that Marcus Freeman is going to be a serious candidate for coach of the year. He’s got a talented roster to work with and if he figures out that quarterback position, the Irish could be back in the playoff conversation yet again.

I hope the ACC enjoyed the one “down” year of Clemson football because the Tigers are going to be back on top yet again this season. DJ Uiagalelei had a rough first year as starting quarterback but I could see him bouncing back in a big way and being one of the nation’s best passers. This team is loaded with talent and Dabo Swinney isn’t going to let another letdown happen.

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